America's celebration cake

2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups water

3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
6 cups (approximately 1 pound) sifted confectioners' sugar
3/4 to 1/3 cup milk
3 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Spray two 8x2-inch baking pans with vegetable pan spray.

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips and butter together either in microwave oven or on top of range over low heat. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into large bowl. Add sugar; beat with electric mixer on low until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Add vanilla. Stir in one 1/2 cup flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add remaining flour and water; mix until smooth. Stir in remaining cup of chocolate chips. Note: The batter will be lumpy.Pour into prepared pans.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare filling and icing: In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla; mix well. Gradually add sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well.

Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Reserve 1-1/2 cups white icing. Beat melted chocolate into remaining icing. Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

Place 1 cake layer on cake board or serving plate; spread with white buttercream icing. Arrange second cake layer over bottom layer.

Use metal spatula to frost cake with chocolate icing.

Nutrition facts per serving: 536 calories, 29 g fat, 15 g saturated fat, 68 mg cholesterol, 68 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 234 mg sodium, 2 g fiber